HASTINGS — Rock band Fireflight is in a year of new beginnings.
The faith-based group is working on a new album and touring with a new drummer. Guitarist Glenn Drennen and his bass-playing wife Wendy had a baby last fall.
Lead singer Dawn Michele is celebrating her first year of marriage.
“We’re trying to keep it as much as a family affair on the road as possible,” said Michele, 29, on the road near Monterey, Calif. The band will perform Saturday as part of Irie Fest in Hastings, along with headliner Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson and more.
Fireflight’s new drummer is Livonia native Adam McMillion, who replaced Phee Shorb earlier this year.
Last December, Michele married Matt Lott, bassist for the band Wavorly. The two are usually touring in different places, far-flung from their Nashville-area home.
“It helps to have a spouse who knows what it’s like and understands how to deal with all the travel,” Michele said.
Aside from its domestic developments, the band reached a high point with its last recording, “For Those Who Wait,” which garnered a Grammy nomination.
The release built on Fireflight’s foundation of several top Christian rock hits with songs such as “Desperate,” featuring Michele’s melodic vocal leaps.
The band did not win a Grammy. But on the red carpet entering the ceremonies in Staples Center in Los Angeles, Michele stood right next to “Jersey Shore” TV cast member Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino.
“I had just seen the show the day before, so I was up to speed,” she said.
For the past few months, the band has been finalizing songs for a new recording, which should be ready in early 2012. The singer said the new tunes are not a departure in style, but will add new elements to its sound, thanks in part to two new producers (Rob Graves and Jasen Rauch).
“We write (songs) about what we know, and it seems that the road we travel on is pretty bumpy,” said Michele of past titles such as “What I’ve Overcome” and their signature “Unbreakable.” “I think God is able to use everything we face to bring intensity to the music, and hopefully that pours out into people who listen.”
Michele is one of a handful of female lead singers in rock music, more notably in faith-based rock. She takes her position seriously and gets support from fellow band-member Wendy Drennen.
“We really strive to be positive role models for young women out there in a (rock music) world where there are not a lot of them,” she said.
“We want to show you can be modest, yet be everything you want to be without having to give any part of yourself away.”
Fireflight’s local performance is a benefit for Jamaica Link Ministries, a nonprofit group that facilitates connections between Jamaican leaders with outside groups who wish to provide help.
That’s good news to Michele, who honeymooned in the island nation and is friends with a couple who are performing mission work there.
“We’re 110 percent behind any organization that’s working to help the poor and suffering, so we’re excited for the chance to be a blessing to the cause.”
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